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The shop where the man and his visitor were sleeping. Thugs gained entry through the roof of the building.

“Treat us like human beings”

 

Somali nationals in Vhembe are crying foul, saying they are being targeted for attacks and killed for no apparent reason. Last weekend, a Somali businessman was killed in cold blood, while 22 Somalian business people have been attacked since last year in villages around Vhembe, where they run their shops.

The main reason for  the attacks is believed to be robbery.

Businessman Cabdulahi Mahamud Shumaqul (44) and a boy were asleep in his shop at Makonde. At around 02:00 on Saturday, three men allegedly arrived with an assortment of weapons. They tried to gain entry through the windows, but could not get in through the burglar proofing. They then climbed onto the roof and opened a hole in order to gain entry.

The criminals demanded money and took R700 and some airtime vouchers. They then demanded more money, which they did not get, and then dragged Shumaqul and the boy to a nearby sports field, where they killed the businessman.

Abdi Mhamed, who witnessed the ordeal, said his uncle was dragged all the way to the sportsfield like a sledge. "I have never seen such cruelty. I was made to watch while they stabbed my uncle and cut him as if they were killing a cow. He died a painful death and I was spared as they said must I help my uncle before they left," he said.

Somalian community spokesperson Osman Abdi Wil Mohamed said they are worried about the escalation of attacks on their members.

"What have we done wrong that warrants the attacks coming from left and right and everywhere? While this country was fighting for freedom, we helped comrades in our home country, but when we come here, we are harrassed."

The Thohoyandou police spokesperson confirmed the incident and said that they had opened a murder docket. "No arrests have been made so far, but investigations are continuing," she said.

* In December, businessman Mahamud Ahmed (40) was attacked and left at his shop in Tshaulu. He was hit with a blunt object, which left one of his eyes blind and he is also suffering from memory loss. He has not yet fully recovered from the attack.

News - Date: 22 January 2015

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Businessman Cabdulahi Mahamud Shumaqul (44).

 

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Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.

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